Brooks Breaks Through for First PDC ProTour Title with Stunning PC21 Triumph

Bradley Brooks produced the performance of his career to capture his first PDC ProTour title at Players Championship 21 on Wednesday in Leicester, completing a remarkable run that culminated in an 8-5 victory over Gerwyn Price in the final.

The former World Youth Champion, who regained his PDC Tour Card in January, stormed to the £15,000 top prize with a series of sensational displays at the Mattioli Arena. His triumph secures a return to the Paddy Power World Darts Championship in December, having previously appeared at Alexandra Palace in back-to-back years before dropping off the Tour.

Top-Class Run to the Title

Brooks came flying out of the blocks, averaging over 108 in each of his first two matches to dispatch William Borland and Chris Dobey. He then held his nerve to edge past Brendan Dolan and James Wade in last-leg deciders.

The 25-year-old powered past Josh Rock 6-1 in a quarter-final clash between two former World Youth champions, before coming from 3-0 and 6-5 down to stun James Hurrell in the semis and book his place in a maiden ProTour final.

In the decider, Brooks broke Price early with a 13-darter to go 3-1 up—a lead he would never relinquish. Despite the Welshman pushing all the way—landing a 12-darter and finishing five of seven darts at doubles—he never managed to level the contest.

Brooks moved to the brink at 7-5 with a composed 79 checkout, and when Price missed eight darts at double in the following leg, the Blackburn thrower capitalised to seal victory with tops.

“I’m lost for words,” said Brooks. “This week I felt so comfortable in my own game and everything clicked today. I treated the final like I had nothing to lose – I’m absolutely over the moon.”

Brooks, who first earned his Tour Card as a teenager through the JDC circuit, credited his family and manager for helping him rebuild his career after losing his spot on the circuit last year.

“It wasn’t the best feeling losing my Tour Card, but I think taking that year out made me hungrier to come back and stay here.

“When I won it back in January, the goals were the Players Championship Finals and World Championship, and now I’m back at Ally Pally. When I’m on, I really believe I can compete with the best.”

Price Falls Short of Fourth Title

Fresh off winning the Superbet Poland Darts Masters, Gerwyn Price once again impressed with a deep run. He began by seeing off Colin Osborne and Dimitri Van den Bergh, before brushing aside Daryl Gurney and Dave Chisnall, dropping just two legs combined.

He delivered a finishing masterclass to beat Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 in the quarters and ended Andrew Gilding’s run in the semis, but couldn’t complete the job in the final.

Notable Performances

• James Hurrell reached his first ProTour semi-final, posting notable wins over World Youth Champion Gian van Veen and the in-form Cameron Menzies.
• Andrew Gilding was once again consistent, averaging 105 to beat Damon Heta in the last 16 and hitting another ton-plus average against Dom Taylor.
• Dirk van Duijvenbode hit his second nine-darter of the week, producing perfection against Jim Williams, following a trio of nine-dart finishes in Tuesday’s PC20.

Matchplay Picture Becomes Clearer

The event also brought final clarity to the race for World Matchplay qualification.

• Ratajski’s quarter-final run wasn’t enough to force his way into the Winter Gardens lineup, while
• Martin Lukeman saw his hopes dashed by a third-round defeat to Chisnall.
• Most notably, Michael Smith’s shock first-round exit to Thibault Tricole sees the former champion miss the World Matchplay for the first time in 12 years.

Next Stop: Baltic Sea Darts Open

The PDC action resumes this weekend with the Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open, as the European Tour heads to Kiel from July 11-13, offering another opportunity for players to make a statement on the road to Blackpool.

Brooks Breaks Through for First PDC ProTour Title with Stunning PC21 Triumph

2025 Players Championship 21

Wednesday July 9

Mattioli Arena, Leicester

Last 16

Kevin Doets 6-3 Jermaine Wattimena

James Hurrell 6-5 Cameron Menzies

Bradley Brooks 6-5 James Wade

Josh Rock 6-3 Ryan Meikle

Andrew Gilding 6-2 Damon Heta

Wesley Plaisier 6-5 Jonny Clayton

Gerwyn Price 6-1 Dave Chisnall

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Jamai van den Herik

Quarter-Finals

James Hurrell 6-4 Kevin Doets

Bradley Brooks 6-1 Josh Rock

Andrew Gilding 6-5 Wesley Plaisier

Gerwyn Price 6-2 Krzysztof Ratajski

Semi-Finals

Bradley Brooks 7-6 James Hurrell

Gerwyn Price 7-4 Andrew Gilding

Final

Bradley Brooks 8-5 Gerwyn Price

Nine-Darter!

Dirk van Duijvenbode hit a nine-darter in his first round tie against Jim Williams.